Wearplate for rubber overshoes and the like



Feb G. H. WILKINSON WEARPLATE FOR RUBBER OVERSHOES AND THE LIKE Filed April 22, 1957 Attorngys Patented Feb. 15, 1938 PATET' E WEARPLATE FOR RUBBER OVERSHOES AND THE LIKE George Henry Wilkinson, Windsor, Ontario, Canada Application April 22, 1937, Serial No. 138,406

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a novel accessory in the form of an insert for the heel of boots, rubber overshoes and the like, the principal purpose of the invention being to minimize the likelihood of puncturing the heel of a rubber overshoe such as so frequently happens.

By way of introduction and explanation it is to be pointed out that the invention is especiab.

1y but not necessarily, adapted for use in womens rubbers. As a general rule rubbers of this class are made to accommodate so-called high heels. High heels on womens shoes vary in shape and sizes to the extent that the heel of the rubber is subjectto rupture due to lack of proper fit. I have therefore discovered the need of placing in the bottom of the heel portion of the rubber a wearplate designed to lengthen the life of said heel portion in an obvious and appreciable manner.

The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises, as will be hereinafter discerned, a simple and inexpensive plate, preferably padded, characteristically designed so as to be substantially self-adapting and fitting in the heel of the rubber overshoe, whereby to afford the requisite feature believed to be necessary to stability and otherwise reinforce the heel receptacle, that is the hollow heel portion of the rubber overshoe.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a sectional view showing how the invention is used, how it cooperates with the rubber overshoe as well as the high heel of the present day style footwear.

Figure 2 is an edge or side elevational view of the insert or adapter per se.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan View of the device shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pad.

In the drawing Figure 1, the regulation high heel equipped womans shoe is denoted by the letter A and the rubber overshoe is indicated at B and is of conventional form and includes the customary receptacle C for the high heel D. This feature C is the part afiected so far as the present invention is concerned and said part may be, it is believed, properly denoted as the heel receptacle or heel portion of the rubber overshoe as the case may be.

As before indicated it is desired to reinforce and thus stabilize the base portion of a heel receptacle C and this is accomplished by providing the unique metal insert or wearplate 5 to the major or body portion 6' shaped to properly fit down in the receptacle or hollow heel C. At suitable points the plate 6 is pressed out to provide what might be described as detents or lugs l which embed themselves suficiently in the rubber to maintain the device C against accidental slippage. It will be noticed in Figure 2 that the unit 5 is in a sense a receptacle to properly seat the heel D. Thus at the back it is provided with a relatively shallow rim 8. 0n opposite sides it has upstanding outwardly converging flanges 9 with properly curved extension If! which function as guards to partially embrace the heel D to prevent it from rocking and puncturing the relatively thin wall of said receptacle C. There is a complemental outstanding individual bendable flange H at the front and the flanges 9 and H plus the guard it provide a suitable protection and wear unit constituting the insert under consideration. Incidentally a felt pad 52 may be provided if desired to afford a cushion for receiving the shoe heel.

Needless to say I am aware that inserts and Wearplates are not broadly new. It is believed however that Wearplates 8 having the detents l is a feature possessing a recognizable degree of newness. Then too, novelty is attached to the upstanding marginal flanges Q, the front flange H, and the guard fingers or hooks [0. These parts have been carefully selected and appear to be amply fitted for the purposes intended. It follows therefore that this reinforcing unit 5 provides a novel protector for the receptacle or heel portion 0 of a regulation high heel overshoe. Although the device may be built into the original construction of the rubber overshoe, it is generally perfected to function as a supplementary insert or added accessory.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawing will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. There fore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

What is claimed is:

As a new article of manufacture, a wearplate designed to fit into an overshoe heel receptacle, upstanding diverging flanges on opposite side edges of said wearplate, and rearwardly extending inwardly curved guards on said upstanding flanges for embracing the rear portion of a shoe heel to prevent said shoe heel from puncturing the adjacent wall portion of said receptacle.

GEORGE HENRY WILKINSON. 

